Computer-Assisted Language Learning: Current Programs and Projects

For many years, foreign language teachers have used the computer to provide supplemental exercises. In recent years, advances in computer technology have motivated teachers to reassess the computer and consider it a valuable part of daily foreign language learning. Innovative software programs, authoring capabilities, compact disk technology, and elaborate computer networks are providing teachers with new methods of incorporating culture, grammar, and real language use in the classroom while students gain access to audio, visual, and textual information about the language and the culture of its speakers.COMPUTER-BASED FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMSFor many years, basic drill-and-practice software programs dominated the market in computer-assisted language learning (CALL). These programs focused on vocabulary or discrete grammar points. A vast array of drill-and-practice programs are still available; in addition, however, an increasing number of innovative and interactive programs is being developed. Simulation programs, while reinforcing grammar points, present students with real-life situations in which they learn about the culture of a country and the protocol for various situations. For example, the "Ticket" series by Bluelion Software and "Recuerdos de Madrid" from D.C. Heath are simulations that provide country-specific situations in a task-based format. "PC Globe" and encyclopedia-type programs are information programs that allow students to conduct research in the target language. Games such as the foreign language versions of "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" by Broderbund Software or "Trivial Pursuit" from Gessler publishers provide an entertaining environment for students to learn culture and the target language through problem-solving and competition. Writing assistants, like "Salsa" and "Systeme-D" (Davis, 1992; Garrett, 1991) aid students in writing compositions in the target language by providing help in grammar, style, and verb conjugation and use (Willetts, in press).CUSTOMIZING, TEMPLATE, AND AUTHORING PROGRAMSThe greatest flexibility for teachers using CALL is in the area of authoring programs. Teachers can use these programs to create simple or elaborate software programs using their own materials. In this way, teachers are able to design the program to fit their own lesson plans (Garrett, 1991; Willetts, in press). Authoring programs range from simple template programs to more complicated authoring languages. Template programs, such as "Choicemaster" and "Storyboard" from Eurocentres Software, provide teachers with the basic structure for a program into which they put their own exercises. "Dasher" by Conduit Software, and "Calis, "developed at Duke University, provide more flexibility in creating exercises that allow teachers to work with screen design and different types of programs. Teachers have the most flexibility in program development and design in authoring systems such as "Toolbook," by Asymetrix (Davis, 1992), and "Hypercard," packaged with each Macintosh computer (Garrett, 1991), which allow multimedia capabilities as well as less complicated authoring possibilities.COMPUTER NETWORKSIn addition to their individual programs, computers linked together in networks are expanding the way we teach and learn foreign languages. Local area networks (LAN) are computers linked together by cables in a classroom, lab, or building. They offer teachers a novel approach for creating new activities for students that provide more time and experience with the target language. Certain LAN setups allow students and teachers to correspond with each other via computer or to conduct collaborative writing activities in the target language. For example, LAN set-ups like the ENFI system at Gallaudet University provide an interactive mode of learning. Exercises on such a system enable students and teachers to communicate back and forth. Students can also engage in cooperative writing exercises, conversations in the target language, and problem-solving exercises. Teachers can observe students' activities and progress and make comments to individual students from a teacher station similar to that found in an audio lab (Peyton & Batson, 1986).

Expanding the unique capabilities of the LAN, long distance networks--or computers linked together across long distances--facilitates communication with students throughout the United States and abroad. Computers can communicate across thousands of miles via modems and phone lines using telecommunications software. Communication abroad allows for direct interaction with native speakers. For example, "Minitel," a French commercial network service available in the United States, allows students to correspond in French with native speakers in France (Krause, 1989).COMPACT DISK TECHNOLOGYCompact disk technology has many uses in foreign language education, including information retrieval, interactive audio, and interactive multimedia programs. The compact disk - read only memory (CD-ROM) allows huge amounts of information to be stored on one disk with quick access to the information. Publishers have put complete encyclopedias, which could fill more than a dozen floppy disks, on one compact disk (CD). Students and teachers can access information quickly and efficiently for use in and out of the classroom. In recent years, many foreign language computer programs have been put on compact disks, eliminating the need for many floppy disks.

A new dimension has been added to many of these programs; digitized sound. Compact disks that use digitized sound offer quick random access to information as well as superior sound quality (Garrett, 1991). The Hyperglot company has put its programs on a CD that they call "Lingua ROM." This software has a program disk and various language disks that contain the digitized speech. With such programs, students are able to hear the pronunciation of a phrase, a word, or even a syllable or sound and then record their own voice following the example. The students can then listen to the original recording, as well as their own, and compare the two. They can record their own voices again and compare the two until they feel their pronunciation has improved or is correct. While digitized sound is far superior to tape recorded sound, the space needed to store digitized sound is relatively large. However, continuing advances in CD-ROM technology will alleviate the space limitations (Garrett, 1991).

The most recent advance in CD technology is the development of the CD-I (compact disk - interactive). This technology includes digitized sound, compressed video, animation, and possibly text to create a multimedia platform for interactive programs. While this technology is still developing, the Phillips corporation has recently made the CD-I available on the commercial market. Because Sega Genesis has already put CD-I on the home video game market, the advent of CD-I educational technology has begun.CONCLUSIONTechnology has the potential to play a major role in foreign language learning and instruction. However, the development of this potential is in the early stages. Issues on which the realization of this potential depend include "the shift from thinking of technology as assisting instruction to thinking of it as supporting learning; the problems attending the evaluation of technology's efficacy; the prerequisites to genuine individualization of software; and the advantages and disadvantages of pedagogically shaped as contrasted with authentic materials and of learner control over the learning environment" (Garrett, 1991, p.95).REFERENCESDavis, R. C. (1992, March). Multimedia support for studies in foreign language and culture. "IBM Higher Education: Supplement to T.H.E. Journal," 36-37.

Garrett, N. (1991). Technology in the service of language learning: Trends and issues. "Modern Language Journal," 75, 74-101.

Krause, J. (1989). "Telecommunications in foreign language education: A resource list. ERIC Digest." Washington, DC: ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics.

Peyton, J.K., & Batson, T. (1986). Computer networking: Making connections between speech and writing. "ERIC/CLL News Bulletin, 10(1), 1-6.

Willetts, K. (in press). "Integrating technology into the foreign language curriculum: A teacher training manual." Washington: Center for Applied Linguistics.

PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS CITED

Calis

DUCALL, Humanities Computing Facility, Duke University, 104

Languages Bldg., Duke University, Durham, NC 27706

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Choicemaster

Eurocentres, MBA, PO Box 7, Wetherby, Yorkshire LS23 7EP, England

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Dasher Authoring System

Conduit Software, University of Iowa at Oakdale, Iowa City, IA

52242, (800) 365-9774

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ENFI Project

Gallaudet University, HMB E230, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 651-5494

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Hypercard Materials for Foreign Language Learning

Hyperglot Software, 505 Forest Hills Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37919, (800) 726-5087; 615-558-8270

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Lingua ROM

Hyperglot Software, 505 Forest Hills Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37919,

(800) 726-5087; 615-558-8270

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Minitel

David Orton, Computer Unit, Harrogate College of Arts & Technology,

Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 8 QT, England, (01144) 0423-879466

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PC Globe

4700 South McClintock, Tempe, AZ, (602) 968-7194

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Recuerdos de Madrid

D.C. Heath, 2700 North Richardt Avenue, POB 19309, Indianapolis,

IN, 46219, (800) 334-3284

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Salsa

Interlex Associates Inc., P.O. Box 252, Ithaca, NY 14851, (607) 387-9688

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Storyboard

Eurocentres, MBA, PO Box 7, Wetherby, Yorkshire LS23 7EP, England

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Systeme-D

Heinle & Heinle, 20 Park Avenue, Boston, MA 02116, (800) 237-0053

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Ticket to Paris, Ticket to Spain

Blue Lion Software, 90 Sherman Street, Cambridge, MA 02140, (800) 333-0199

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Toolbook

Asymetrix Corp., Educational Programs, P.O. Box 40419, Belleview,

WA 98004-1419, (800) 624-8999 ext. 299A

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Trivial Pursuit (in French, German, and Spanish)

Gessler, 55 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011, (800) 456-5825

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Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?

Broderbund Software, POB 12947, San Rafael, CA 94913-2947, (800) 521-6263